On Awakening: A Secular Adaptation

In this short track, I share a passage from the Eleventh Step of Alcoholics Anonymous, beginning midway through page 86 of The Big Book. While rooted in the AA tradition, I have adapted a few words to make the language more secular and accessible. This reading offers a simple invitation into reflection, mindfulness, and connection with something larger than ourselves, however that resonates with you. It was recommended to me to read these pages every morning, so I hope this track assists you in your recovery!

Transcript

On awakening, Let us think about the 24 hours ahead. We consider our plans for the day. Before we begin, We ask the universe to direct our thinking, Especially asking that it be divorced from self-pity, Dishonest, Or self-seeking motives. Under these conditions, We can employ our mental faculties with assurance, For after all, The universe gave us brains to use. Our thought life will be placed on a much higher plane when our thinking is cleared of wrong motives. In thinking about our day, We may face indecision. We may not be able to determine which course to take. Here, We ask the universe for inspiration, An intuitive thought or a decision. We relax and take it easy. We don't struggle. We are often surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while. What used to be the hunch or the occasional inspiration gradually becomes a working part of the mind. As we go through the day we pause, When agitated or doubtful, And ask for the right thought or action, We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show, Humbly saying to ourselves many times each day, I trust the universe. We are then in much less danger of excitement, Fear, Anger, Worry, Self-pity, Or foolish decisions. We become much more efficient. We do not tire so easily, For we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves. It works. It really does.

Reviews

Wise words to start the day right. Thank you 🙏🏾❤️